Nevertheless, said Durham, American performed well the past 12 months, paid down debt and invested in its fishing fleet.

What were the three most significant developments for your company in 2017?

At American Seafoods, we fish for wild Alaska pollock, North Pacific hake, and yellowfin sole. The headlines in 2017 were all about the low price for pollock, which was disappointing for everyone in the industry. But despite those conditions, we were able to end the year in a good position due to outstanding operational performance and prudent cost management.

Firstly, we have amazing, dedicated people, and in 2017 our vessel teams turned in one of the most impressive performances in our company’s history, setting records for harvesting and production efficiency in both the wild Alaska pollock and Pacific hake fisheries.

Secondly, as a business, we paid down debt and took advantage of the markets to strengthen our balance sheet by refinancing, all while reinvesting in our boats.

And thirdly, we further strengthened our leadership team, adding food industry veterans Kevin McMenimen as our new chief financial officer, and Margery Schelling in the newly created position of executive vice president of marketing, strategy and innovation. Both are talented and passionate professionals, and we are fortunate to have them as we develop new market opportunities for our sustainable seafood products.

Looking ahead, what will be the three most important developments in your sector of the seafood industry in 2018?

We believe 2018 will be a breakout year for wild Alaska pollock. Already in the second half of 2017 the surplus inventories were finally depleted and the dollar came down from its historic highs. Demand for protein, and fish protein remain high. But the real “hero” in 2018 and beyond is the fish itself.

Russian pollock producers expect price hike in 'A' season

There simply isn’t a better story in seafood, or for that matter, in the entire protein category, than wild Alaska pollock. It is a tasty, versatile, consistently available wild caught fish. Moreover, Alaska pollock has some of the strongest environmental credentials going.

The US fishery is one of the most sustainably managed fisheries in the world, but we have also measured our carbon footprint through a third-party, and we have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any protein, including plant.

For the industry as a whole, do you expect 2018 to be favorable or unfavorable? Why?

We are excited about the market prospects for all sustainably harvested wild-caught seafood, both in markets here in the United States and overseas. Consumers worldwide want to consume more protein more often, and seafood, particularly fish stocks with high replenishment rates, like Alaska pollock and Pacific hake, are perfectly positioned to satisfy that demand.

Nevertheless, said Durham, American performed well the past 12 months, paid down debt and invested in its fishing fleet.

What were the three most significant developments for your company in 2017?

At American Seafoods, we fish for wild Alaska pollock, North Pacific hake, and yellowfin sole. The headlines in 2017 were all about the low price for pollock, which was disappointing for everyone in the industry. But despite those conditions, we were able to end the year in a good position due to outstanding operational performance and prudent cost management.

Firstly, we have amazing, dedicated people, and in 2017 our vessel teams turned in one of the most impressive performances in our company’s history, setting records for harvesting and production efficiency in both the wild Alaska pollock and Pacific hake fisheries.

Secondly, as a business, we paid down debt and took advantage of the markets to strengthen our balance sheet by refinancing, all while reinvesting in our boats.

And thirdly, we further strengthened our leadership team, adding food industry veterans Kevin McMenimen as our new chief financial officer, and Margery Schelling in the newly created position of executive vice president of marketing, strategy and innovation. Both are talented and passionate professionals, and we are fortunate to have them as we develop new market opportunities for our sustainable seafood products.

Looking ahead, what will be the three most important developments in your sector of the seafood industry in 2018?

We believe 2018 will be a breakout year for wild Alaska pollock. Already in the second half of 2017 the surplus inventories were finally depleted and the dollar came down from its historic highs. Demand for protein, and fish protein remain high. But the real “hero” in 2018 and beyond is the fish itself.

Russian pollock producers expect price hike in 'A' season

There simply isn’t a better story in seafood, or for that matter, in the entire protein category, than wild Alaska pollock. It is a tasty, versatile, consistently available wild caught fish. Moreover, Alaska pollock has some of the strongest environmental credentials going.

The US fishery is one of the most sustainably managed fisheries in the world, but we have also measured our carbon footprint through a third-party, and we have one of the lowest carbon footprints of any protein, including plant.

For the industry as a whole, do you expect 2018 to be favorable or unfavorable? Why?

We are excited about the market prospects for all sustainably harvested wild-caught seafood, both in markets here in the United States and overseas. Consumers worldwide want to consume more protein more often, and seafood, particularly fish stocks with high replenishment rates, like Alaska pollock and Pacific hake, are perfectly positioned to satisfy that demand.